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Getting a smart meter installed in your home is quite a straightforward process, but it still helps to be prepared. Let’s find out more.

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to get a smart meter installed in your home. Soon, you’ll be able to reap the rewards of having a smart meter, including more accurate bills, no more sending meter readings to your supplier and being able to monitor your energy usage in real-time.

However, you may be wondering how your smart meter installation will actually take place and what you need to do before and after. In this article, we’ll give you the lowdown on your smart meter installation, so you can be ready and make it a smooth and easy process. Let’s go!

What will be done?

Depending on the existing meter set-up in your home, your current meters will be replaced by smart meter equivalents. Most homeowners have separate meters for gas and electricity. Ideally, your smart meters will go in exactly the same place that your current meters sit. If the installer believes this is a problem, they’ll discuss it with you before removing anything.

As well as replacing your traditional energy meters with smart equivalents that meet national technical standards, you’ll also get an in-home display. This is a little screen that shows you your energy consumption in real-time. You should be able to see your energy usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and also in pounds and pence, so you can understand how the energy you use affects your bill. Watch your in-home display light up when you put on your kettle!

Your installer will fit your meters and then connect up your in-home display, so you can see how it all works. You won’t have to do anything yourself. Ideally, the whole process should take around 3 hours.

Who’s doing it?

In most cases, installing a smart meter is a one-person job. Your installer could work directly for your energy supplier, but it’s more likely that they will work for an independent contractor.

Your installer will have passed all the relevant tests and qualifications to be able to fit your smart meter. As part of the smart meter rollout, installers have to achieve national standards as set out in the Smart Metering Installation Schedule and regulated by Ofgem. Your installer will show you their identification (including a photograph) before they enter your home.

Once they’re in, your installer will explain precisely what they’re going to do. They’ll fit your smart meter system and check it’s all running well. They’ll also leave you with a guide to getting the most from your smart meter. Don’t be shy about asking your installer any questions that are on your mind. That’s what they’re there for.

What to do before your installation

Once you’ve decided to get a smart meter fitted in your home, talk to your energy supplier to arrange a date and time. If you have anything you need to tell them about your home, such as if you’re worried about COVID-19, now is the time to let them know. They will also want to confirm the location of your meters in your home, in case they need to make any special arrangements.

Before your installer arrives, it’s a good idea to make sure they have unimpeded access to your existing energy meters. If, for example, your meters are at the back of a cupboard full of clutter, get everything out of there the day before the installation. It will save you time on the day.

Finally, while the installation is taking place, your installer will need to turn off your electricity supply for a short time, probably around half an hour. You may want to ensure that you’re not running your washing machine during the installation. Also, if you’re working on your computer, save what you’re doing!

After your installation

This is the shortest part of our guide to installing your smart meter, as there really isn’t anything to do after the installation. It should all be taken care of for you by your installer.

Once your smart meter system is installed, connected up and working, you have the opportunity to monitor your energy usage to try and identify areas where you can use less power and save money. In today’s financial climate, that could make all the difference.

Get yours today

Now you know that getting a smart meter fitted is a smooth and easy process; what are you waiting for? Smart meters give you the chance to save energy, which is great for the planet and your bank balance. Surely, that’s worth three hours of your time?